More than 20 eatery and bake house operators in Lautoka went through a rigorous food safety awareness program to address any issues of non-compliance to food safety and hygiene standards.
Organised by the Lautoka City Council, the one-day discussions highlighted the need for the operators to comply with the regulations.
LCC senior health inspector and food safety officer Shalen Singh said the workshop was designed to address critical aspects of food safety and enhance the overall standards of eateries and bake houses in Lautoka.
“By creating awareness on relevant food safety legislations, participants were equipped with the necessary information to comply with basic requirements and standards,” he said.
“Understanding and adhering to these regulations not only help operators avoid legal issues, it also fosters a culture of responsibility and commitment to public health.”
He said discussions covered areas such as health licensing which ensured all food businesses operated with proper licences and met health and safety standards.
“Restaurant grading was also emphasised where businesses are rated based on their compliance with food safety regulations making it easier for consumers to make informed choices.
“Good hygiene practices (GHP) was another focal point of the training as they play a significant role in preventing food-borne illnesses.
“Participants were educated about proper food preparation, handling, storage, display, and sale practices to reduce the risk of contamination and ensure the delivery of safe food to customers.”
Lautoka City was one of three urban centres that was the subject of a food safety and hygiene survey carried out by the Consumer Council of Fiji earlier this year.
According to CCoF, the results was concerning, with almost 50 per cent (55 out of 111) of eateries surveyed were either operating without a valid Health Licence or displaying an expired Health Licence. Other urban centres which were part of the survey were Suva and Labasa.
